A Second Day Play!!!

Yesterday I got to teach another fabulous class of Play at the Doodle and it was sosososo much fun! The women who took the class were absolutely wonderful. It was really great because I hadn't had the majority of them in my classes before and it is always a treat to meet new people. The people I did know, Joanne, Sharon, and Beverly, helped me feel less nervous and kept me steady. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful day. I hope that you enjoy the pictures!!!

The big news here at the Angie/Estes household is that we found our "little" dream home this weekend and yesterday evening we made an offer on it. We feel pretty confident that the sellers will accept our offer and that we will start that WHOLE moving thing once again!!!

Richard and I currently own a big, modern home with an ubelievable view and a rental property. We bought our current home because of the need for more space for our three children, friends and family that seemed to congregate around our table. We all planned on Emily living with us for a few more years and we wanted more space for all of us. The house has been magical for us. Beautiful view, new landscaping and fence which we designed, beautiful woods in the back of our property, a pond with ducks in the woods, lots of wildlife, fabulous location and this amazing view of the world.... But Emily moved out (sooner than we anticipated), it's just Richard and I, the house has many steps (many) and we have felt like we've wanted to downsize and we wanted to stop being landlords for the rental property....so that brings us to where we are today.

We have been looking...but we've done so very quietly, mainly just to see what is out there. We both believed that we would know when it was time to commit to the search and to finding the perfect spot. Last week, after ALOT of discussion, we called our realtor and friend, Jackie, and made our search and our plans more formal. We walked into the new house on Saturday afternoon....and knew that this was the place.

It's been a whirlwind weekend.....but it has also been totally miraculous in terms of a reaffirmation of our belief that the Universe will work with you when you are clear about your intention and when you are willing to do the work to make things happen. It has been a somewhat divine experience.

We have both our rental and our current home for sale; however we have qualified for a special type of loan where we will be able to buy the new home immediately and "roll over" our equities into the loan when the two houses sell. So........my heart is beating fast. There's alot of work ahead. But we are seeing miracles happening every minute. There will, of course, be more news about all of this.

So.....my task is to stay healthy. Artfest is coming in a week, an Open House on the rental property will be next Sunday, the first Open House for this property will be on April 8th, my work and teaching at the Doodle continues and I have to stay focused, calm and strong. The last time we moved I ended up in the hospital for four days. I can't afford for that to happen again. But, like everything else....I need to listen to my body and to my heart and I need to move with awareness through every minute of my days. I am strong....much stronger than I've been in a long time. I know that Richard and I, together, can almost do anything.

A few prayers and blessings will be much appreciated. I couldn't do any of this without my beautiful friends and family. We are so excited and honored that this is all coming together for us.

Fragmented!!!

These past couple of days I've been feeling much better!!! I have come to realize that the darkness, sometimes can be a way to go within and rest to the depth that I need to. We all carry alot with us....minute by mintue.... For me, sometimes it feels like too much. I know the signals. I know the fear. I just have to remember to listen.

I worked on this painting during the past few days. It still surprises me that, if I really go beyond my critical mind, I can always see how I am truly feeling. It moves me to see it in my own work....it really moves me when I see it in other's work!!! I am a true testament to the healing power of art.

I yearn to give this gift to others who have challenges in their lives. And, I believe, we all have challenges. I have alot of thoughts about how to expand my teaching beyond the walls of the Doodle. That has become my safe place....my haven.... But I think there are other groups of people who would benefit from my classes in visual journaling.....youth, teens, chronically ill people, people with mental health issues.... Thoughts are brewing...possibilities....and lots of questions.

It's a rainy Sunday here. The monthly Journaling Group (about 15 wonderful women who support one another in their artistic endeavors) are gathering here for an afternoon of sharing. Then it is "Breakfast for Dinner" and movie night with Richard's children. A blessed day for sure!!!